Mikulski Statement on NTSB Metro Safety Recommendations Following Tragic Yellow Line Incident
Statement
U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) today issued the following statement after the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued safety recommendations for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) system following the Yellow Line smoke incident on January 12, 2015 that caused the death of one passenger, critical injuries to two passengers and the hospitalization of 84 others:
"I am shocked at the findings of the NTSB's investigation of the deadly Yellow Line smoke incident on Metro. Its findings highlight basic failures in Metro's equipment that may have contributed to the severity of the incident," Senator Mikulski said. "The NTSB's urgent safety recommendations are critical to making sure we prevent another horrible accident on Metro and elsewhere in the country. I expect swift action and accountability from Metro in implementation of these recommendations."
Following the tragic Yellow Line incident, Senator Mikulski convened a briefing for the National Capital Region Congressional Delegation with acting leaders of the NTSB and Metro. Following that briefing, Metro released an initial list of early-action safety items, available here. Senator Mikulski has called on Metro to keep the public regularly updated and informed on improvements and preventive actions being taken to enhance Metro safety. She has also called for mandatory Metro safety and evacuation training for regional firefighters.
Senator Mikulski has been an outspoken advocate for Metro safety and was the first to introduce a bill, the National Metro Safety Act of 2009, to establish the first-ever national safety standards for transit systems, including metro systems. As the senior Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Mikulski fought for legislation authorizing $1.5 billion in federal funds over 10 years to help improve Metro's aging infrastructure and provide Metro's first dedicated, federal funding source which passed in 2008.
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